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International Relations

September 13, 2021

Threats to states’ identity are equally important as threats to state borders

Gabriella Gricius States face not just threats to their physical security, but also to their sense of self and biographical continuity. This is what we call securitisation. Understanding the process of securitisation can uncover taken-for-granted colonial and imperial influences that would otherwise remain hidden, writes Gabriella Gricius Read more
September 2, 2021

EU international LGBTI rights promotion: coherent, consistent and effective?

Markus Thiel The EU’s promotion of LGBTI human rights has provoked disputes over these rights, and the way they are promoted. Focusing on civil pluralism and democratic consolidation would make the EU a more reflective and effective actor, argues Markus Thiel Read more
August 31, 2021

Covid vaccine apartheid and the failure of global cooperation

Stephen Brown After the pandemic hit, scientists rapidly developed vaccines effective in preventing infection, serious illness and death. These breakthroughs presented humanity with an important test: could we deal with Covid-19 from a truly global perspective? Stephen Brown argues it's a test we are clearly failing Read more
August 30, 2021

How political leaders ‘securitise’ external threats to achieve their goals

Dionysios Stivas ‘Securitising’ an alleged external threat can be a convenient tool for political leaders to justify extreme measures and policies. Dionysios Stivas looks at the case of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s handling of asylum seekers in 2015 Read more
July 8, 2021

Chinese vaccine diplomacy in Latin America could change the international order

Elena Cossu China has delivered vaccines to Latin America on an extraordinary scale. We must understand this in the context of China’s long-term aspirations as a rising power in the international order. Elena Cossu argues that Chinese vaccine diplomacy directly challenges the already declining US authority in the region Read more
July 1, 2021

How knowledge sharing could advance Africa’s responses to terrorism

Sven Botha Scant counterterrorism initiatives in Africa have often been blamed on a lack of political will. But institutional capacity, technical competency, decolonisation struggles and pressure from national advocacy groups all play their part. As Africa’s terrorism worsens, Sven Botha and Suzy Graham suggest that peer-learning through peer review may prove fruitful Read more
June 16, 2021

How ‘mask diplomacy’ helps cultivate a positive image of China abroad

Samuel Brazys China seeks to control the international narrative on its role in the pandemic. But while Beijing cannot always deflect criticism, its mask diplomacy efforts and external propaganda streams do affect China’s image, write Samuel Brazys, Alexander Dukalskis and Stefan Müller Read more
May 13, 2021

The Palestinian elections that weren't

Jørgen Jensehaugen Palestinians in the Occupied Territories had been set to vote in the first legislative and presidential elections in fifteen years. But in a last-minute decision, President Abbas postponed the elections indefinitely. Once again, the Palestinian people are left in political limbo with unelected leaders, write Jørgen Jensehaugen and Erling Lorentzen Sogge Read more

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Advancing Political Science
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